Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor.

Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are choosing alternative medicines and treatments instead of consulting their usual doctors. Although some alternative treatments may provide benefits in certain situations, I believe that this is generally a negative development because it can delay appropriate medical treatment and put people’s health at risk.

Potential Benefits

There are some reasons why people may prefer alternative medicine. Some treatments, such as certain forms of massage or relaxation therapy, may help people manage minor discomfort or stress. In addition, individuals may choose these methods because they believe they are more natural, affordable or accessible than conventional medical treatment. In some cases, alternative therapies can be used alongside professional medical care and may improve a person’s overall sense of well-being.

Major Disadvantages

However, relying on alternative treatments instead of visiting a qualified doctor can have serious consequences. Firstly, some illnesses require accurate diagnosis and scientifically tested treatment. If patients choose unproven remedies, they may delay appropriate medical care, allowing their condition to become more serious. For example, a person with persistent symptoms might continue using a traditional remedy instead of seeking medical advice, even though the symptoms could indicate an underlying illness.

Furthermore, some alternative medicines may interact with prescribed medication or may not be suitable for particular health conditions. Without professional guidance, people may also misunderstand the cause of their symptoms and make inappropriate decisions about their treatment. Therefore, alternative therapies should not automatically be considered a substitute for qualified medical care.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses the prompt clearly, maintaining a consistent position that the trend is negative. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, with a balanced view acknowledging benefits before presenting the main argument. However, the response is 249 words long, falling just short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This minor omission in length, combined with the fact that the arguments could be slightly more extended to fully explore the implications of the topic, places this in the Band 6 range. To reach a higher band, ensure you exceed the word count and provide more detailed examples or deeper analysis of the consequences mentioned.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', 'Firstly', and 'Furthermore' is effective and natural. The transition between the benefits and the disadvantages is smooth, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to structure the argument. The ideas flow logically from one to the next, making the text easy to follow throughout. The level of cohesion is consistent with Band 7, as the devices are used flexibly and contribute to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the academic context. You use a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'conventional medical treatment', 'underlying illness', and 'prescribed medication'. The language is natural and conveys your meaning precisely without any significant errors. While the range is sufficient to express your ideas clearly, it does not consistently demonstrate the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items required for a Band 8. However, the control is strong, and the word choice is consistently appropriate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'If patients choose unproven remedies, they may delay...'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no major errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, showing good control. To move toward a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or more advanced relative clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility in your writing.

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